TMF has $1B available for IT modernizations

Agencies urged to submit initial ideas for legacy IT, cyber, digital & shared services

      President Biden’s “American Rescue Plan” law recently approved by Congress allocated $1 billion to the government’s Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) to distribute to agencies for critical projects.

      Agencies are being encouraged to submit Initial Project Proposals as soon as possible, especially in four priority areas.

      Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Submissions prior to June 2 were offered priority consideration. Agencies whose Initial applications are accepted will need to follow up with more detailed final proposals.

Flexible repayment terms

      While federal agencies are generally expected to repay money from the fund, the Office of Management and Budget and the General Services Administration said that rule is being relaxed for the American Rescue Plan funds.

      OMB and GSA said Partial Repayment would be offered for projects with “strong positive impact” that do not generate enough for full repayment; and Minimal Repayment would be offered for projects “tackling the most urgent IT issues,” including for cybersecurity and pandemic-related needs.

Four priorities

      The TMF Board recently set four priorities for obtaining American Rescue Act funding from the TMF:

• Modernizing high priority systems, including legacy IT systems that have significant impact, or have longstanding security issues;
• Cybersecurity: Assisting agencies in maintaining a consistent baseline of maturity in cybersecurity and privacy;
• Public-facing digital services: Modernizing digital services to increase access and equity, reduce fraud and improve service delivery; and
• Cross-government collaboration / scalable services: The TMF will support public-facing or agency-facing shared services, including technical infrastructures.

TMF history

      The TMF was established by Congress in the national defense bill of 2017.

      To date, Congress has allocated $175 million to the fund through the regular budget process, and $1 bill through the American Rescue Act.

More information:
TMF Guidelines: https://tmf.cio.gov/arp/
GSA Press Release: https://bit.ly/3uyxOXu

Biden aims to raise federal buys from SDBs by $100B over 5 yrs

“Emerging Large Business” in CIO-SP4

2-yr trend of reduced small biz set-asides continued in FY2020

Doss is new deputy at SBA

TMF has $1B available for IT modernizations

DOD to boost debriefings

8(a) STARS III awards in June

Gov-named HUBZ in IL

Column: Return to Work -- Employer-Mandated COVID Vaccination Policies

Washington Insider:

Coronavirus Update